To create a structured sequential movement activity with the preschool classes, I used action pictures on cards. With all the cards faced down, a student picked one and named the picture. For example, “hula-hooping” or “swimming.” I asked them to show me the action and then had the entire class doing that action. Next, I had two or three more students pick cards, depending on the class for a total of three or four actions.

Before the start of the dance, I placed all the cards in order on a music stand so everyone could see them. We danced the sequence of movements and changed action with the verses of the song. I called out the next action and for some classes, I asked the students to call what was next. Some students had memorized the sequence while others knew to look at the pictures and shout the answer.

This was a great activity of specific action movements rather than a free run or walk to music. Having to think of the actions, doing them, and sequencing movements had most of the students working hard for a two minutes song. Depending on the cards picked, some classes had some actions that were more strenuous than others. Examples of action: playing in snow, swimming, bowling, shopping, rowing a boat, swinging a bat, and throwing a frisbee. For the Kangaroos and Bears, we needed two songs to dance and move.